Ape Mind Transcripts

Astrology blog Planet Waves (weird, but don’t shoot the messenger) relates a touching story from actress Nichelle Nichols. She played Uhura in the original Star Trek but was considering leaving after the first season to pursue a stage career. But then she ran into Martin Luther King Jr., who identified as a big fan and persuaded her to stay on in what he considered an inspirational role. It’s a great read.

The latest issue of Notre Dame Magazine is another thought-provoking success. Among the most-intriguing articles was “Bigots I Have Loved,” by Mark Phillips, which explores the intersection of racism and tender feelings toward those we know should behave better.

The article seems especially appropriate, given that, due to its anti-gay policies, Notre Dame is in danger of turning into a bigot I have loved.

Two articles remind me why I’m a National Geographic subscriber. 1,000 Days in the Ice is a gripping retelling of a turn-of-the-century expedition to the North Pole, with two explorers working their way across the ice to safety. Edge of the World is an overview of Scotland’s Hebrides Islands, offering the kind of breathtaking photos that make you want to set your life to exploring.

January 20, 2010

To: John Jenkins, C.S.C., President
Chuck Lennon, Executive Director, Alumni Association

Dear sirs,

The recent publication of a gay-bashing comic in the Observer has made me ashamed to be a Notre Dame alumnus. While this embarrassment is inspired by the ugliness of the cartoon—and the clumsy attempts at apology offered in its aftermath—it is tied most directly to Notre Dame’s hostility to gays and lesbians.

The facts barely need to be repeated. Our school is consistently at the top of the Princeton Review’s “Alternative Lifestyles Not an Alternative” category. We refuse to recognize sexual orientation in our non-discrimination statute. We refuse to officially recognize gay student and alumni groups. Ironically, these same groups are banned from advertising in the very paper that has published this embarrassment.

I know that a number of apologies—and a resignation—have followed in the wake of this cartoon, including one from Father Jenkins himself. It’s not enough. A culture of discrimination is embedded on campus. And unfortunately, as long as gay and lesbian groups can’t be recognized, as long as non-discrimination standards don’t apply, students and alumni, such as me, are abetting this discrimination with our support. We’re condoning a place that doesn’t treat gay people with simple decency. That’s not right.

I’m writing to share this concern. But I’m also writing—and encouraging others to do the same—to share a promise. I won’t support Notre Dame in any way—from buying a T-shirt at the Bookstore to cheering for the football team—until the university stops discriminating against its gay students and alumni. If Notre Dame can’t take this step, I’m no longer interested in being associated with the university.

My grandfather graduated from Notre Dame and served as a faculty member in its sociology department. My aunt and uncle are alums. My mother received her economics degree from Notre Dame. My sister is attending now.

We have long loved this school, showing it our appreciation and loyalty. Speaking only for myself, I can say that my feelings now reflect profound embarrassment—embarrassment at the school’s backwardness and discrimination. Until these attitudes change, Notre Dame will not have my support.

Sincerely,

James Seidler, 2002

The following comic was published in Notre Dame’s student newspaper, The Observer, on January 10.

As you can see, it bears the following punchline:

A: What is the easiest way to turn a fruit into a vegetable?

B: No idea.

A: A baseball bat.

While I’m stunned by the utter tastelessness of this comic—and the fact that it was approved by an editor—I can’t say I’m surprised. Notre Dame is notoriously hostile toward gay and lesbian students and alumni. In the most-recent Princeton Review rankings, the school ranked number five in the “Alternative Lifestyles Not An Alternative” category. Back in 2004, it held the top spot for two years in a row.

What else? The school refuses to recognize sexual orientation in its non-discrimination statute. It refuses to officially recognize gay student and alumni groups, such as Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College. Ironically, as the link above shows, the University has even banned them from advertising in the Observer, which is ostensibly an independent paper.

In the wake of the cartoon appearing, there have been apologies. Notre Dame President John Jenkins has apologized. Jan Metz, editor in chief of the Observer has apologized. Kara King, the editor who approved the comic has resigned. The cartoon has been canceled; its creators have apologized as well.

It’s not enough.  A culture of discrimination is embedded on campus. And unfortunately, as long as gay and lesbian groups can’t be recognized, as long as non-discrimination standards don’t apply, students and alumni are abetting this discrimination with their support for the University of Notre Dame. We’re condoning a place that doesn’t treat gay people with simple decency. That’s not right.

What can we do? I plan to call President Jenkins tomorrow to express my disapproval and to let him know that I won’t support Notre Dame in any way—from buying a T-shirt at the Bookstore to cheering for the football team—until the University stops discriminating against its gay students and alumni. If it can’t take this step, I’m no longer interested in being associated with them.

I can only hope that others feel the same way and express their disapproval.

If you’re an alum or a student, as you consider a potential response, consider this: As sociology professor Dan Myers reveals, the original punchline for the cartoon had “AIDS” instead of a “baseball bat.” This version was only rejected because someone from the Observer quipped, “We prefer not to make light of fatal diseases.” Well, as far too many gay people can attest, being beaten due to your sexual orientation can be a “fatal disease.” As can the hopelessness of rejection and discrimination due to your sexual orientation, attitudes that should have no place at Notre Dame.